Started great then it fizzled

I was excited to watch this mini drama after seeing it featured in a few top mini drama lists on YouTube. The drama started off great but then it fell flat.

What I like:
1. Intriguing start - The 1st 3 episodes were intriguing. I was delighted to see a "smart" female lead who managed to escape from interrogation. I was also pleasantly surprised with the bed scene. Cunning!
2. Right hand man - General Liu was the smartest character out of the bunch.
3. Dai Gao Zheng - A lot of reviewers mentioned him so yes, I agree. He has good looks & body. Acting wise, he's ok.

What I dislike:
1. Female lead characterisation - I mentioned earlier she was "smart" but my gosh she became unbearably silly as the episodes progress. I can't get over her decision to pursue Tiangyi when she already willingly agree to become Yu Ze's fiancee. What a silly girl!
2. Writing - was bad. I almost stopped at episode 19 but persisted because there is fast forward button. I chose 4x option just to make sure I complete this mini drama. I think the episodes could be reduced to 24 or even 18. The conflict was dragged too much.
3. Ending - omg what a silly one. How can a stupid, cowardly girl become menacing to gangsters? And that very last scene I really don't understand
4. Physical abuse - You experienced and witnessed beatings but omg why stay in abusive household???
5. Chemistry between main characters - to me, lackluster.
6. Fashion - I dislike the clothes worn by Tiangyou, female lead. Pink dresses made her look like childish and with her characterisation, she was indeed a baby. The last qipao she wore had weird colour combination and doesn't look nice.

Favourite scene:
The bed scene between Tiangyi & Tiangyou. As I said earlier, cunning!

Leia Mais

Letdown by this supernatural-romance series

I love supernatural series such as Lucifer, Angel, Buffy, iZombie so I had high hopes on 'My Demon'. This series felt like a Korean version of Twilight. So much potential not explored, I decided to drop this series halfway through.

What I like
1. The song by NewJeans
2. Do Do Hee's fashion
3. Episode 1 was beautifully shot.
4. Park Bok Kyu & Ms Shin's banter

What I dislike
1. Do Do Hee's characterisation - I want to scream out my frustrations. The character is written like a Harlequin romance novel from the 90s. She started off as a clear-headed, no-nonsense CEO but episode 2 onwards, she became easily distracted/influenced by Gu-Won. Wish she struck partnership with Gu-Won like a business deal - weigh the cost of benefits and risks. Negotiate a protection and a marriage deal that benefits you too - I don't like that Gu-Won dictated the terms and Do Hee easily agreed.
2. Gu-Won's characterisation - I don't like Jeong Gu-Won. I expected cockiness but his arrogance, solemn & cold demeanour irked me. I wish he enjoyed his demonic responsibility and had cheeky personality like Lucifer.
3. Too much push in the romance angle too. Not enough supernatural moments.
4. Ga Young's clinginess annoyed me.
5. Slapstick comedy is fine for some episodes but get tiresome after awhile.
6. Song Kang's acting - I feel that he's miscast in this series. I'd like to see Woo Do Hwan as Gu-Won because he was mighty fine in Divine Fury and he'd be up against Lee Sang Yi's character to win over Do Hee's heart.
7. Reincarnation/past lives trope - I am tired of this trope since it's also used in other dramas released around same time such as The Story of Park's Marriage Contract, Moon in the Day.

Favourite scene
When Do Hee first met Gu-Won. The cake!

Leia Mais

Just alright

This drama is alright to pass time.

What I like
1. The action sequences were amusing. The reactions were comical but hey it made sense for normal people to react that way.
2. Great to see Kang Ki Young as main male lead.
3. Oh Min seok made me sympathetic towards his character but he's villain alright. His abs were damn fine though I am not sure if the scene was required
4. Supporting characters - I like Daeki & Kang Boom.

What I dislike
1. Story - I find the story average. The benefactor reminds me of The Uncanny Counter.

Favourite scene
When Kang Bom kicks ass

Leia Mais

Live action version of old Harlequin novel

I like reading Harlequin novels once in a while and modern releases are quite refreshing & enjoyable. My Lethal Man is like an adaptation of old Harlequin novels. Full of clichés!

Pros:
1. Pacing - It was good. Despite the clichés, I managed to finish this series within 2 working days.
2. Fan Zhi Xin - Handsome. Gosh his jawline & cheekbones. His acting was ok. He seemed to have fun in behind the scenes.
3. Romance - Plenty make out scenes 😝
4. Supporting male leads - I like them both!

Cons:
1. Male lead characterisation - Domineering, sullen boss type.
2. Female lead characterisation - Damsel in distress type. Needs saving all the time except when hero was recovering from mental breakdown and when she came with plan for necklace. I think those were only times she took charge.
3. Mystery - quite predictable.
4. Li Mo Zhi - She's older than Fan Zhi Xin and it shouldn't matter but for this drama, I think Li Mo Zhi could have soften her facial expressions so conflicts can be expressed better.

Favourite scene
When they made out at the bridge. I like when male lead hugs female lead from behind.

Leia Mais

Best mini drama I have watched!

I am not a fan of Chinese historical dramas but wow A Familiar Stranger blew my mind.

What I like:
1. Well executed story - Only 18 episodes with 15 min each episode but the screenplay was superbly done. No time for unnecessary side plots or filler scenes. The plot twist I did not see coming.
2. Scene framing - Two scenes stood out for me. When General Xiao confronted Shi Qi about the painting - the walk from the room to exterior of the room & contrast between Shi Qi's dress and others so beautiful. Another favourite frame is when all 4 lead characters were at night market. The distance, the warmth just wow me.
3. General Xiao's characterisation - rational & strategic thinker up to his personal matters. Warm, understanding partner. Very rare to see green flag main male character on screen.
4. Acting - all 4 actors with main roles did extremely well. Special mention - Cheng Lei has the right looks & stature as army general. His flirting & smiles are so adorable.
5. Child actor - Yuan Bao had substantial role in this story!
6. Ending - Great, sentimental one.

What I dislike:
1. Second leads' Love story - I find the story of how Shen Qin started to love the Prince is bit confusing.
2. Kisses - Wish Shi Qi did not avoid General Xiao's kissing attempts too much.

Favourite scene:
When General Xiao tended to his wife's wounds. The sexual tension was killing me!

Leia Mais